football.london looks at how Arsenal's forward line could look this season if they sign Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray greets fans after friendly match between Galatasaray and Villarreal at RAMS Park in Istanbul, Turkiye on August 8, 2026.
Arsenal have been linked with Victor Osimhen(Image: Getty )
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Arsenal could line up with a fearsome front three this season if they pull off a stunning swoop for the lethal Victor Osimhen.
So far in the transfer window, manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta have strengthened various areas of the pitch and made their squad even more injury-proof. Their three new arrivals - Bruno Guimaraes, Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis - boost the squad depth, allowing them to avoid a crisis if key players are absent.
However, they have not yet signed the marquee forward they so obviously lacked last season. Arteta admitted after the Champions League final defeat to PSG back in May that the difference between the two sides came down to individuals capable of moments of brilliance in the final third.
Morgan Rogers was therefore the Gunners’ primary left wing target earlier this summer, though they were unwilling to meet Aston Villa’s lofty asking price, which allowed Chelsea to hijack the transfer. Arsenal then shifted their focus to signing Vinicius Junior only for the Brazilian to sign a new deal with Real Madrid.
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Julian Alvarez is understood to be Arteta’s dream signing but any transfer would be hugely difficult to get over the line, given Atletico Madrid’s reluctance to sell the striker and his own preference for a move to Barcelona. Victor Osimhen has now emerged as the latest superstar to be linked with a move.
The Telegraph reports that Arsenal have held talks with Galatasaray over their star striker amid the Turkish giants’ own interest in Gunners stars Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Martinelli. Arsenal reportedly received an offer of around £38million for Martinelli, who, it is believed, they will consider selling for the right price.
It is said the subject of Osimhen's availability also came up in talks between Berta and George Gardi, who brokers deals for Galatasaray. It is not yet known who raised his name, whether it was Berta or Gardi, according to the publication, or whether Martinelli's future hinges on Osimhen's arrival.
Sky Sport Switzerland reports that the Nigeria international is valued at £55m. Still only 27 years old, the experienced striker represents far better value than the likes of Rogers for £117m and Alvarez, who is believed to cost even more.
And if Martinelli headed the other way in a player-plus-cash swap deal, the cost would technically be reduced to just £17m. Financially, the deal makes plenty of sense, as it does tactically. Osimhen is one of the deadliest No.9s in Europe and would be a clear upgrade on Arteta’s current options - Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres.
Victor Osimhen - Arsenal’s starting No.9
Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres could start together for Arsenal against Bournemouth
Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres would lose their spot in the starting XI(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Osimhen has played key roles in title-winning seasons for both Napoli and Galatasaray in recent years. Those campaigns have shown him to be more clinical than Havertz and far better on the ball than Gyokeres, meaning he would add more to the front-line in terms of link-up play.
While it is true that Havertz possesses several qualities that Arteta admires, the signing of Gyokeres last summer showed the manager wasn’t completely satisfied with what the German offered up top. Osimhen, with his on-ball play and combative strengths, combines the best of both strikers and would surely be Arteta’s first-choice to lead the line for the biggest games.
If they sign him before the window shuts on September 1, Gyokeres could even make way. The Swede’s mixed first season in north London had already led to speculation over a potential move away this summer prior to these latest Osimhen links.
With Osimhen starting and Havertz on the bench, the big question would then be who would flank the Nigerian on the wings.
Bukayo Saka - right wing
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Bukayo Saka starts for Arsenal when fit(Image: MB Media/Getty Images)
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Bukayo Saka has been Arsenal’s golden boy since he broke into the starting XI in 2020. The England international is clearly unmatched in the squad in terms of quality, meaning he is expected to be the starter on the right wing.
But he has not yet joined up with the rest of his club team-mates, having been given an extended break to recover after the World Cup. Both he and Noni Madueke, his understudy last season, could miss the first few games of the new campaign.
Saka has also been hampered by injuries over the past 18 months. A long-term Achilles problem means he may not get to share the pitch with Osimhen as much as fans would like initially.
Instead, Max Dowman, 16, has made the position his own in pre-season and appears to have earned Arteta’s trust enough to start until Saka returns.
Christos Tzolis - left wing
Christos Tzolis of Arsenal during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Como Calcio at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2026 in London, England.
Tzolis has proven his quality already(Image: Getty )
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The left wing position has been a glaring issue in Arsenal’s line-up for several years. Neither Martinelli nor Leandro Trossard could convince Arteta that they were the standout player for the role over the last three seasons.
Trossard, after ending a mixed season with crucial contributions in Arsenal’s title success, was sold to Besiktas earlier this summer. Arsenal almost immediately signed £34m winger Tzolis from Club Brugge without much fanfare.
Given his reasonable price tag, relatively low profile and Trossard’s recent exit, it was widely believed that Tzolis was brought in as a bench option, with another marquee addition being eyed as a starter. However, as the window has developed, it appears increasingly unlikely that Arteta will splash big money on a left winger who isn’t world class, having already missed out on his top options - Rogers and Vinicius.
Fortunately, Tzolis has been extremely impressive and arguably Arsenal’s best player in pre-season. The Greece international has slotted in seamlessly, combining well with team-mates and notching several goal involvements already.
With Tzolis’ displays encouraging Arteta that he has enough quality to go into the new season without another signing, it appears the 24-year-old has made the position his own going into the new campaign.
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